Best running back of all time?

[Matt Foley]

First, it was blasphemy to say anyone other than Jim Brown. Then, Walter Payton. Now some say Emmitt Smith and some say Barry Sanders. I'll throw Marshall Faulk in that mix (biases though I may be) for his ability to catch the ball and add another dimension. Who do you think it was and why?

After reading Greg Doyel's column today on cbssportsline.com, I'm inclined to say Barry Sanders.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/story/13711346/no-sanders-is-greatest-ever?tag=headlines;other

[Jangler]

Jim Brown of course. But in the modern game it would be Barry. If he had played 5 more years he would have put up 20k yards easily and wouldn't have needed to hang around for 2 extra years to get the record.

[Matt Foley]

Jim Brown of course. But in the modern game it would be Barry. If he had played 5 more years he would have put up 20k yards easily and wouldn't have needed to hang around for 2 extra years to get the record.

Why? Just because he was such a beast? Brown was almost as big as the defenders who were trying to bring him down. Sanders was, like Payton, much smaller.

[Kevin Greene]

No one dominated their opponents like Jim Brown did.

[Kevin Greene]

Why? Just because he was such a beast? Brown was almost as big as the defenders who were trying to bring him down. Sanders was, like Payton, much smaller.

Hey, even your sig says Sanders blows.

Wait........

.

[LaChance87]

Barry Sanders, He played behind a crappy line, and no fullback. The one year he had a fullback is the year he had over 2000 yards, just imagine if he'd had a fullback the whole time, and a better offensive line. He has the most carries for minus yards, promply because as soon as he had the ball defenders were already in his face.Sanders could make defenders miss like nobody eles! He left the game too early... if he'd stayed he'd have all the records, even if he'd stayed with the lions. By far the best running back the game has seen.

[Dork42775]

Even as a Bears fan i still have to say Brown over Payton as strictly a running back. Payton was better all around but thats a different story. I liked Sanders as well but we cant talk about what might have been if he wouldnt have retired early. I mean what would we say about LT, Faulk,Dickerson, Sayers or Terrell Davis after their 5 or 6th years. But what i will agree with everyone on is that Emmitt Smith is lucky to be considered a top 10 RB since he was an average RB.

[Matt Foley]

Emmitt wasn't average. Is DeAngelo Williams average?

Someone else worth mentioning is Gale Sayers.

[Mother Grabber]

Barry Sanders, then Walter Payton...

[Purity-Control]

I have always considred Barry to be a top 3 back

[Raskle]

Barry Sanders, then Walter Payton...

This, with Brown a very, very close third.

[BBQ&Beer]

I'd have to say Brown because he dominated, but Sweetness was simply a joy to watch, so I'd have to go with him. Then of course using pure logic it would have to be Emmit since he holds the record... Nah, its Walter.

As for Sanders, yeah, if he had an o-line, FB, etc... most likely he would be considered the greatest, but if I wasn't so good looking and didn't have a large penis I wouldn't be so arrogant. As things stand now, you all suck and I'm awesome.

[dimbee]

I am biased, but in my opinion, there has been only 1 runningback in the history of the NFL that could do EVERYTHING a runningback should be able to do and do it better than anyone else- run over a defender, juke a defender out of his jock, jump over a defender, stiff arm a defender onto his ass, block like a beast for his QB, catch the ball out of the backfield with natural ease, and even throw a tight spiral for a TD. Walter muhfuggen Payton.

Just my opinion, but one I am adamant about.

[MadHatter]

Barry Sanders, He played behind a crappy line, and no fullback. The one year he had a fullback is the year he had over 2000 yards, just imagine if he'd had a fullback the whole time, and a better offensive line. He has the most carries for minus yards, promply because as soon as he had the ball defenders were already in his face.Sanders could make defenders miss like nobody eles! He left the game too early... if he'd stayed he'd have all the records, even if he'd stayed with the lions. By far the best running back the game has seen.

Barry Sanders behind the same OL and FB that Emmit Smith had = Unstoppable.